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Canon SX150 IS vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
86
Imaging
38
Features
40
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX150 IS front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Canon SX150 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
  • 306g - 113 x 73 x 46mm
  • Launched May 2012
  • Previous Model is Canon SX130 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX160 IS
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5N
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Canon SX150 IS vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Canon SX150 IS versus Sony NEX-5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX150 IS (14MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the SX150 IS (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

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The SX150 IS was launched 24 months after the NEX-5 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX150 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the SX150 IS grades versus the NEX-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX150 IS over the Sony NEX-5

 SX150 IS NEX-5 
LaunchedMay 2012June 2010Newer by 24 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Canon SX150 IS

 NEX-5 SX150 IS 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX150 IS and Sony NEX-5

 SX150 IS NEX-5 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX150 IS provides outer measurements of 113mm x 73mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") having a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX150 IS versus Sony NEX-5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SX150 IS vs the NEX-5.

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX150 IS and NEX-5 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specifications. The image here may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX150 IS and NEX-5.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide the same MP but different sensor dimensions. The SX150 IS features the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF trickier. The fresher SX150 IS should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX150 IS vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX150 IS
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5
42
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detect focus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Street photography information
Sony NEX-5 Street photography information
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (306g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
76
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography factors
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (130 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
52
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Travel photography info
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography info
64
lighter than average in class (306 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
great zoom (336mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low battery power (130 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
59
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography information
46
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery power (130 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
68
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3")
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging highlights
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than average in class (306g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
does not have external microphone port
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Canon SX150 IS vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX150 IS and Sony NEX-5
 Canon PowerShot SX150 ISSony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX150 IS Sony Alpha NEX-5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-05-14 2010-06-07
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 1 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-336mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 306 grams (0.67 pounds) 287 grams (0.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 113 x 73 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 69
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 796
Other
Battery life 130 images 330 images
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $249 $599